Gary Gugel, of team Smokin' Sammy's, adjusts his sunglasses with a pig nose attached during the 14th annual Rock'n Ribs BBQ Festival on Saturday at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Seventy-five teams prepared barbecue.

Written by

Katie Lamb
KLAMB2@NEWS-LEADER.COM

The 14th annual Rock'n Ribs BBQ Festival attracted tens of thousands of guests on Saturday at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.

An estimated 20,000 people waited in a line that zigzagged through the fairgrounds for their turn to sample barbecue prepared by 75 teams, which is the most contestants the festival has ever had, said Julie Conway, spokeswoman for the event.

Walt Coltrin of Nixa woke up at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday to start preparing for the contest. ...